Some Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet refuse to evolve the usual way-requiring strange items, hidden conditions, or even another player’s help. This guide breaks down every special evolution method so you can complete your Pokédex without missing a single secret form.
Our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guide lists out all the special evolutions that we know of, categorized by evolution type, including the added Pokémon as part of The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk DLCs.
Note that some Pokémon below do fit in multiple categories, so we put them in all the categories they fit in. For example, to get a Gallade, you need a to use a Dawn Stone on a male Kirlia, so it’s listed in the categories for both evolution stones and gendered Pokémon.
To quickly find the Pokémon you’re looking for, use ctrl f on Windows PC and command f on Mac.
Pokémon that require evolution stones to evolve
Certain Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet can only evolve when exposed to specific evolution stones. Classic examples include Eevee, which can evolve into different forms depending on the stone used, and Murkrow or Misdreavus, which require a Dusk Stone. Each stone corresponds to particular types-like Fire, Water, Leaf, and Thunder-making them valuable items to collect. Players can find these stones scattered across Paldea, hidden in sparkling spots or available from shops once progression milestones are reached.
Evolution stones can be found scattered around Paldea on the ground, seen as sparkling objects. Just from walking around Paldea and exploring, we found a lot.
- Eevee Fire Stone = Flareon
- Growlithe Fire Stone = Arcanine
- Capsakid Fire Stone = Scovillain
- Eevee Water Stone = Vaporeon
- Shellder Water Stone = Cloyster
- Pikachu Thunder Stone = Raichu
- Eevee Thunder Stone = Jolteon
- Magneton Thunder Stone = Magnezone
- Tadbulb Thunder Stone = Bellibolt
- Eevee Leaf Stone = Leafeon
- Petilil Sun Stone = Lilligant
- Sunkern Sun Stone = Sunflora
- Eevee Ice Stone = Glaceon
- Cetoddle Ice Stone = Cetitan
- Crabrawler Ice Stone = Crabominable
- Jigglypuff Moon Stone = Wigglytuff
- Floette Shiny Stone = Florges
- Murkrow Dusk Stone = Honchkrow
- Misdreavus Dusk Stone = Mismagius
- Kirlia (male) Dawn Stone = Gallade
- Snorunt (female) Dawn Stone = Froslass
- Weepinbell Leaf Stone = Victreebel (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Vulpix Fire Stone = Ninetales (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Lampent Dusk Stone = Chandelure (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Nuzleaf Leaf Stone = Shiftry (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Clefairy Moon Stone = Clefable (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Nosepass Thunder Stone = Probopass (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Charjabug Thunder Stone = Vikavolt (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Poliwhirl Water Stone = Poliwrath (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Lombre Water Stone = Ludicolo (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Exeggcute Leaf Stone = Exeggutor (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Cottonee Sun Stone = Whimsicott (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Gloom Leaf Stone = Vileplume (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Gloom Sun Stone = Bellossom (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Minccino Shiny Stone = Cinccino (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Alolan Sandshrew Ice Stone = Alolan Sandslash (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Alolan Vulpix Ice Stone = Alolan Ninetales (The Indigo Disk DLC)
Pokémon that require other special items to evolve
Certain Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet evolve only when specific items are used instead of leveling up or friendship. For instance, Scyther evolves into Scizor when traded while holding a Metal Coat, and Galarian Slowpoke becomes Galarian Slowbro with a Galarica Cuff. Some items, like the Auspicious Armor or Malicious Armor, are version-exclusive, meaning players might need to trade with others to obtain them. These item-based evolutions add an extra layer of challenge and encourage exploration and trading between players.
These Pokémon require you to use these items on them, similarly to how you would use evolution stones.
- Sinistea (Antique Form) Chipped Pot = Polteageist
- Sinistea (Phony Form) Cracked Pot = Polteageist
- Applin Sweet Apple = Appletun
- Applin Tart Apple = Flapple
- Charcadet Auspicious Armor = Armarouge
- Charcadet Malicious Armor = Ceruledge
- Gimmighoul 999 Gimmighoul Coins = Gholdengo
- Applin Sticky Apple = Dipplin (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Poltchageist (Counterfeit Form) Unremarkable Teacup = Sinistcha (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Poltchageist (Artisan Form) Masterpiece Teacup = Sinistcha (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Duraludon Metal Alloy = Archaludon (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Galarian Slowpoke Galarica Cuff = Galarian Slowbro (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Galarian Slowpoke Galarian Wreath = Galarian Slowking (The Indigo Disk DLC)
Pokémon that require specific battle conditions to evolve
Some Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet only evolve when certain battle conditions are met. For example, Primeape evolves into Annihilape after it uses the move Rage Fist multiple times, while Bisharp must defeat other Bisharp leading Pawniard groups before becoming Kingambit. These requirements add variety to evolution, encouraging players to explore specific combat scenarios and master unique move strategies to progress their teams.
These Pokémon need to fulfill specific requirements in battle in order to evolve. They’ll evolve once you’ve correctly met the conditions.
- Bisharp holding Leader’s Crest beat 3 other Bisharp with Leader’s Crest in battle = Kingambit
- Primeape use Rage Fist 20 times = Annihilape
- Basculin (White Striped) 294 recoil damage = Basculegion (The Teal Mask DLC)
Pokémon that require multiplayer to evolve
Certain Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet only evolve through trading with another player, encouraging cooperative play. Trade Evolutions like Scyther, Gurdurr, and Haunter transform into Scizor, Conkeldurr, and Gengar only after being exchanged. Some species also need specific held items during the trade, such as Slowpoke’s King’s Rock for Slowking or Dusclops’s Reaper Cloth for Dusknoir, making multiplayer interaction key for completing the Pokédex.
For Finizen to evolve, it needs to level up while you’re in a multiplayer session (local or online).
- Finizen level 38 in multiplayer = Palafin
Pokémon that require high friendship to evolve
Several Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet evolve only after reaching a high level of friendship with their Trainer. Examples include Eevee evolving into Espeon or Umbreon depending on the time of day, Snom evolving into Frosmoth when leveled up while friendly, and Pichu turning into Pikachu once its bond is strong enough. Building friendship can be done by walking together, giving items like the Soothe Bell, avoiding fainting, and spending time in battles or picnics.
You will need to raise the friendship with these Pokémon, then level them up once to evolve them. You can raise friendship by giving the Pokémon a Soothe Bell and leveling them up.
- Eevee friendship = Espeon (daytime only)
- Eevee friendship = Umbreon (nighttime only)
- Eevee friendship knows a fairy-type move = Sylveon
- Pichu friendship = Pikachu
- Igglybuff friendship = Jigglypuff
- Chansey friendship = Blissey
- Azurill friendship = Marill
- Riolu friendship = Lucario (daytime only)
- Swadloon friendship = Leavanny (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Munchlax friendship = Snorlax (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Cleffa friendship = Clefairy (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Chingling friendship = Chimecho (nighttime only) (The Teal Mask DLC)
Pokémon that require walking with Let’s Go to evolve
Certain Pokémon only evolve after you have walked a set distance with them in the “Let’s Go” feature. Rellor transforms into Rabsca after traveling around 1,000 steps while roaming outside its Poké Ball, and Bramblin evolves into Brambleghast under the same condition. Make sure to keep the Pokémon active and avoid returning it to its Poké Ball before gaining enough steps, or the progress will reset.
Take these Pokémon out by making them the lead in your party and pressing the R button – which activates Let’s Go mode – and walk with them a ton. Level them up after you walk with them to get them to evolve.
- Pawmo walking 1,000 steps = Pawmot
- Bramblin walking 1,000 steps = Brambleghast
- Rellor walking 1,000 steps = Rabsca
Pokémon that require learning a special move to evolve
Some Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet only evolve after learning a specific move rather than by level or item. For instance, Primeape evolves into Annihilape once it knows Rage Fist and uses it multiple times in battle, and Bisharp becomes Kingambit after mastering Kowtow Cleave and defeating other leader Bisharp. These cases tie evolution to battle experience and mastery of signature techniques, adding an extra layer of challenge for dedicated trainers.
Once these Pokémon learn the respective move, they’ll evolve. If the Pokémon has leveled up beyond the point they naturally learn the move, you’ll need to reteach it to them, then level them up once more.
- Eevee friendship knows a fairy-type move = Sylveon
- Girafarig knows Twin Beam (level 32) = Farigiraf
- Dunspace knows Hyper Drill (level 32) = Dudunsparce
- Bonsly knows Mimic (level 16) = Sudowoodo
- Steenee knows Stomp (level 28) = Tsareena
- Yanma Ancient Power (level 33) = Yanmega (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Piloswine Ancient Power (able to be “remembered” once evolved from Swinub to Piloswine) = Mamoswine (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Aipom Double Hit (level 32) = Ambipom (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Hisuian Qwilfish Barb Barrage (level 28) = Overqwil (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Dipplin Dragon Cheer (TM226) = Hydrapple (The Indigo Disk DLC)
Pokémon that require a specific time of day to evolve
Some Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet evolve only at certain times of day, tying their transformations to daylight or nighttime cycles. Rellor, for instance, evolves into Rabsca when leveled up during the day, while Greavard evolves into Houndstone only at night. Eevee’s evolution into Espeon or Umbreon also depends on the time of day and friendship level-daytime for Espeon, nighttime for Umbreon. Paying attention to your game’s clock can make the difference between getting one form or another.
These Pokémon have a variety of leveling methods, but they can only be done during certain times of day. The time of day does not correlate to real-world time. You can check what time it is in-game by opening your Pokédex or map.
- Sneasel holding Razor Claw level = Weavile (nighttime only)
- Eevee friendship = Espeon (daytime only)
- Eevee friendship = Umbreon (nighttime only)
- Riolu friendship = Lucario (daytime only)
- Happiny holding Oval Stone level = Chansey (daytime only)
- Yungoos level 20 = Gumshoos (daytime only)
- Rockruff level 25 = Midday Form Lycanroc (daytime only)
- Rockruff level 25 = Midnight Form Lycanroc (nighttime only)
- Rockruff with the “Own Tempo” ability level 25 = Dusk Form Lycanroc (7-8 pm only)
- Fomantis level 34 = Lurantis (daytime only)
- Greavard level 30 = Houndstone (nighttime only)
- Gligar holding Razor Fang level = Gliscor (nighttime only) (The Teal Mask DLC)
Pokémon that need to be traded to evolve
Several Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet only evolve through trading, keeping a classic mechanic from the earlier games. For instance, Haunter changes into Gengar and Machoke into Machamp when traded. Players can also trade specific Pokémon holding evolution items, such as Scyther with a Metal Coat to become Scizor, or Slowpoke with a King’s Rock to evolve into Slowking. Coordinating trades with friends or other players online remains the main way to complete these evolutions and fill the Pokédex.
These Pokémon need to be traded to evolve. Once the trade completes, they will evolve, so they’ll need to be traded back to the original trainer.
- Haunter trade = Gengar
- Slowpoke holding King’s Rock trade = Slowking
- Scyther holding Metal Coat trade = Scizor
- Phantump trade = Trevenant (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Graveler trade = Golem (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Gurdurr trade = Conkeldurr (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Poliwhirl trade holding King’s Rock = Politoed (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Feebas trade holding Prism Scale = Milotic (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Dusclops trade holding Reaper Cloth = Dusknoir (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Alolan Graveler trade = Alolan Golem (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Rhydon trade holding Protector = Rhyperior (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Electabuzz trade holding Electrizer = Electivire (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Magmar trade holding Magmarizer = Magmortar (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Seadra trade holding Dragon Scale = Kingdra (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Porygon trade holding Upgrade = Porygon2 (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Porygon2 trade holding Dubious Disc = Porygon-Z (The Indigo Disk DLC)
Pokémon that need held items to evolve
Some Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet only evolve when they hold a specific item while being traded or leveled up. For example, Scyther evolves into Scizor when traded while holding a Metal Coat, and Sneasel becomes Weavile when leveled up at night while holding a Razor Claw. Each of these items can usually be found in shops, Tera Raid rewards, or scattered in specific areas. Keeping track of which items belong to which Pokémon makes filling out the Pokédex and training specialized teams much easier.
These Pokémon need to be holding specific items and then leveled up or traded in order to evolve.
- Slowpoke holding King’s Rock trade = Slowking
- Scyther holding Metal Coat trade = Scizor
- Sneasel holding Razor Claw level = Weavile (nighttime only)
- Happiny holding Oval Stone level = Chansey (daytime only)
- Bisharp holding Leader’s Crest beat 3 other Bisharp with Leader’s Crest in battle = Kingambit
- Gligar holding Razor Fang level = Gliscor (nighttime only) (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Poliwhirl trade holding King’s Rock = Politoed (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Feebas trade holding Prism Scale = Milotic (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Dusclops trade holding Reaper Cloth = Dusknoir (The Teal Mask DLC)
- Rhydon trade holding Protector = Rhyperior (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Electabuzz trade holding Electrizer = Electivire (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Magmar trade holding Magmarizer = Magmortar (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Seadra trade holding Dragon Scale = Kingdra (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Porygon trade holding Upgrade = Porygon2 (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Porygon2 trade holding Dubious Disc = Porygon-Z (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Milcery holding a sweet spin around = Alcremie (The Indigo Disk DLC)
Pokémon that only evolve when a specific gender
A few Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet evolve only if they are a specific gender. For example, Combee evolves into Vespiquen only when female, while Salandit evolves into Salazzle under the same condition. On the other hand, male-only evolutions include Snorunt evolving into Gallade when given a Dawn Stone and male Combee remaining unevolved. These gender-based requirements add an extra layer of detail to team building and Pokédex completion.
These Pokémon only evolve into these forms when they’re a specific gender.
- Kirlia (male) Dawn Stone = Gallade
- Snorunt (female) Dawn Stone = Froslass
- Combee (female) level 21 = Vespiquen
- Salandit (female) level 33 = Salazzle
Pokémon that need specific stats to evolve
Some Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet evolve only after reaching specific stat conditions. For example, Pawmo evolves into Pawmot after walking a set distance, but others, like Bisharp, need higher stats in certain areas before evolving. Rellor and Capsakid also have unique evolution triggers tied to performance or held items influenced by their stats. Keeping an eye on Attack, Defense, or friendship values can make the difference between staying stuck or reaching the next powerful form.
There’s only one Pokémon that evolves based on its stats, but it gets its own section.
- Tyrogue level 20 attack higher than defense = Hitmonlee (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Tyrogue level 20 defense higher than attack = Hitmonchan (The Indigo Disk DLC)
- Tyrogue level 20 attack and defense are equal = Hitmontop (The Indigo Disk DLC)
Pokémon that require you to hold your console a specific way to evolve
Certain evolutions in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet ask for more than just leveling up or trading. For example, to evolve Rellor into Rabsca, you must walk a thousand steps while the Pokémon follows you, but while doing this, you also need to hold your console upside down during the level-up. This feature takes advantage of the console’s motion sensors and adds a playful twist to the process, rewarding players who pay attention to how they handle their hardware.
Where to find evolution stones like Sun Stone and Thunder Stone
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, evolution stones like Sun Stone and Thunder Stone are primarily obtained through shops, digging, and wild encounters.
Delibird Presents Shops
These stores sell evolution stones once unlocked by progressing through the game and earning Gym Badges. Sun Stones and Thunder Stones become available at locations like Mesagoza, Levincia (after 4 badges), and Montenevera branches for 3,000-5,000 Poké Dollars each.
Digging in the Ground
Use the Digging ability at underground outcrops (marked by brown dirt piles) across Paldea, especially in East Province Area Three or South Province for higher yields. Expect random drops including Sun Stones (for Petilil→Lilligant) and Thunder Stones (for Pikachu→Raichu or Tadbulb→Bellibolt); results improve with better digging partners like Drilbur.
Wild Pokémon Drops
Certain Pokémon drop stones when caught or via Pick Up ability: Sun Stones from Sunkern/Sunflora in South Province (Fields), Thunder Stones from Voltorb in East Province (Cave) or Magnemite in various caves.
| Stone | Key Locations | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Stone | Delibird Presents (Levincia+), Digging (West Province), Sunkern drops | Petilil→Lilligant, Cottonee→Whimsicott |
| Thunder Stone | Delibird Presents (Mesagoza+), Digging (Casseroya Lake), Voltorb drops | Pikachu→Raichu, Tadbulb→Bellibolt |
Which Pokémon evolve with Sun Stone in Scarlet Violet
Petilil and Sunkern are the primary Pokémon that evolve with a Sun Stone in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s base game.
Base Game Evolutions
Petilil evolves into Lilligant when exposed to a Sun Stone, with no level requirement needed. Sunkern becomes Sunflora similarly, also without a specific level-just use the stone.
DLC Additions (The Indigo Disk)
Cottonee evolves into Whimsicott with a Sun Stone, available after accessing the Blueberry Academy DLC. Gloom evolves into Bellossom using the same item in this expansion.
Both evolved forms can also appear in the wild, letting you skip the stone if preferred.
